Palliative care is a medical approach for those with complex illnesses, in which the focus is on maximizing quality of life. Contrary to popular belief, palliative care is not just for late-stage disease -- this approach can be applied at any stage of the disease, even at the time of diagnosis! However, it does become more important as the disease advances. Many people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) have benefited from the palliative care approach from their physicians (and possibly not even realized it). When a treatment or therapy is added to improve quality of life, that is palliative care!

Our special guest, Dr. Jori Fleisher, is a movement disorders physician with expertise in palliative care. She responded to audience questions about how the palliative care approach can benefit people with PD and help improve your quality of life throughout the continuum of disease.

1:55 Dr. Fleisher’s presentation

31:38 What types of palliative care might be worthwhile to pursue for those newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease?

33:57 Does insurance pay for palliative care?

35:19 My movement disorders specialist is hostile to the concept of palliative care before late stage Parkinson’s disease. How can I help him/her get educated as to what palliative care is?

38:22 How do you make sure that palliative care is coordinated among the different physicians that a person sees?

40:21How is the determination of end of life made in advanced Parkinson’s disease so as to qualify for hospice?

42:38 Are there palliative care physicians who specialize in Parkinson’s disease?

44:51 If I ask for palliative care will I be steered towards hospice given the inadequate education of the health care community about palliative care?

48:28 What factors should you consider when thinking about moving a person to a nursing home or a memory care facility?

54:12 DBS and Parkinson medications are not curative - would these be considered palliative treatments?

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